Nico Porteous

Nico is an Olympic and X Games bronze medallist in freeski halfpipe. He made history at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, becoming NZ's youngest Olympic medallist (16 years old), NZ's first freeskier to earn an Olympic medal and the first male NZ athlete to medal at the Olympic Winter Games.

Disciplines: Halfpipe

Hometown: Wanaka

Career highlights: 2019 X Games bronze medal in freeski halfpipe; 2018 Olympic bronze medal in freeski halfpipe; 2018 Junior World Champion freeski halfpipe. World Cup silver medal, Secret Garden, China, December 2018; Youngest person in the world to land a triple cork 1440

Nico began skiing at the age of four on a family holiday to France. With Mum, Dad and older brother Miguel already keen skiers, Nico was determined not to miss out. With a solid skill base from race training under his belt, Nico made the switch to freeskiing at the age of nine and quickly began chalking up a string of top level results.

By thirteen Nico had joined his brother Miguel chasing back to back winters, training and competing in Breckenridge in the USA and Cardrona Alpine Resort in NZ, balancing his sports commitments with school work. As one of the youngest skiers on the circuit he earned the nickname Nipsy but also the respect of the freeski elite. Invitations to attend firstly as a forerunner and then as a bona fide competitor saw Nico showcasing his skills at the likes of X Games, Air+Style and the Jon Olsson Invitational.

The 2015-2016 season saw Nico claim wins in freeski halfpipe at the Copper Mountain Rev Tour and the Calgary NorAM, earning him the overall title in FIS Freeski Halfpipe NorAM for the season.

In 2016, at the age of fourteen, Nico became the first Kiwi and youngest person in the world to land a triple cork 1440.

Nico was named to the NZ team to compete in freeski halfpipe at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang and went on to earn a bronze medal. Back home in New Zealand in August he was crowned Junior World Champion in freeski halfpipe.